SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – Many businesses tried to fight the effects of COVID, and unfortunately didn’t make it. But one small business did. And now it’s celebrating five years on the Suncoast.
Music Compound is a place where musicians of all ages come together on the Suncoast. Instead of drowning during the COVID shutdown, the company stayed afloat.
“Instead of laying down, they brought the fight back to coronavirus, and obviously they won,” Music Compound member, Alex Krumm said.
“Music Compound had to switch gears very fast,” Owner, Jenny Townsend said. “We just turned lemons into lemonade.”
In March, Owner, Jenny Townsend, pivoted quickly and went online.
“And a completely new business model came out of COVID,” Townsend. “And I was anti-online lessons, that was not part of our mission. My mission was to bring people together, not keep them in isolation, but it’s something that worked for a lot of people. It’s been really beneficial.”
And because of this, Music Compound is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
“It’s absolutely rewarding to see the growth year after year, not only just the growth of our students,” Townsend said. “But the growth of our staff as well.”
The company went from a small studio, one teacher, and a few members in January 2016 to now having two locations with fourteen studios, 30 employees, and 400 members.
“It’s crazy, five years! I feel like I’ve been doing this for so long like I’ve been doing this way longer,” Townsend said. “And then on some days, it feels like ‘oh my gosh, I remember sitting in that smaller studio calling people or waiting for that phone to ring.”
The 2016 vision of Music Compound is a reality today; ‘Inspire, collaborate and educate.’
SOT: Alex Krumm – Member Since 2016, Music Compound
“When we first started, they were in a different location, and it was small. Even as they’ve grown, it’s never lost that small feeling,” Krumm said. “It’s more of a family there than it is a school.”
Krumm took his first lesson with his son when Music Compound first opened.
“We did not know that it was going to lead to this enormous relationship that we’ve had with Music Compound, where it’s become foundational in my family,” Krumm said.
“I just want to say thank you to all of our supporters and to everybody on the Suncoast that has contributed to the success of Music Compound.,” Townsend said. “And we’re just proud to be here to serve you, and we feel very fortunate.”
The company is celebrating its anniversary as a red-carpet event next Friday at Robarts Arena. You can expect live music, food, dancing, and a maze of memories showcasing the company’s last five years.
